Be still my soul
In every age (Sullivan Whitaker)
Panis angelicus (Lambilotte)
Ubi Caritas (chant or Hurd, not Rosania)
I heard the voice of Jesus
Shall we gather at the river (mixed crowd)
Precious Lord (ditto)
Jerusalem, my happy home
(Haas haters, beware) Eye has not seen
Come to me and drink (Hurd)
With all the Saints (Hurd)
We walk by faith/In times of trouble (Bridge)
The Farewell (heh, heh, heh, one of mine)
syrup, but an alternate to OEW, "Fly like a bird" (Canedo)
Dies irae (we're doing it Thus. at a matriarch's)

Sorry, off the top o' me head-waiting for news about the prognosis of my beloved cat, Plunkett. He survived the night, yay!

Mel, presuming the funeral is the OF, when will you use the Dies Irae?

Offertory

Looks like a great list, MT56.

Sad but true.

Just to be clear I wasn't suggesting anything in the top 10 with the possible exception of Ave Maria. I used to joke that I would leave a list of 10 songs not to play at my funeral, but I think just asking for the propers as a dying wish would be sufficient.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EkGYykMlvI

Ad perennis vitae fontem from the 11th century.

This has several translations, I am uncertain which is best.

CARDINAL PETRUS DAMIANUS, HIS HYMN ON THE GLORY OF PARADISE
adapted from a mediation by Augustine of Hippo:

1. At the Fount of Life eternal Parched minds in thirst must stand ;
While the soul in fleshly bondage, longs to burst her weary band ;
Striving, struggling, as an exile, to enjoy her Fatherland .

2. There the moon no longer changes, sun ne'er sets, nor fades a star ;
But the Lamb of that blest city Is the Light that streams afar ;
Night and time are ever absent, ceaseless day no shadows mar.

3. For the saints, as suns all radiant In eternal beauty shine ;
There with crowns of triumph honored, All their mutual joys combine,
O'er the prostrate foe victorious, They the wreath of victory twine.

4. Now made clear from every blemish, Carnal strifes are all forgot ;
Body spirit soul united, join to praise their happy lot,
Perfect peace forever tasting, ever free from scandal's blot.

5. Stripped of all their changing garments, Here they seek their origin,
Here behold their Lord, the present Form of Truth, unstained by sin,
Hence the vital sweetness of The living Fountain drinking in.

6. Thence they draw a power of being, Measured not by Time's short scroll;
Clear and vivid, joyous ever, They are free from harm's control ;
Sickness shuns the ever healthful ; feeble age the youthful soul.

7. Here they have an endless being, Since the passing passed away ;
Here they bloom, they grow, they flourish; since corruption saw decay,
And the strength of Life immortal Brought to naught Death's mortal sway.

8. What can they who know the Knower Of all things now fail to know ?
For the bosom's hidden secrets each to each will ever show ;
What they seek or shun is mutual In Love's unity they glow.

9. Diverse the reward of merit, seeking which in toil each strove ;
But love makes its own the pleasures, which its dear companions love ;
So the joy of every spirit Common joy of all shall prove.

10. Where the Body is by right the Gathered eagles waiting stand
Thus have holy souls refreshment With the angels glorious band;
Citizens together; eating one Bread in one Fatherland.

11. Ever full, yet ever longing, Holy souls have all they need ;
Never vexed by surfeit's loathing, Never pained by famine's greed :
Eating still they never hunger, hungering still with joy they feed.

12. Ever with melodious voices Heaven's new harmonies they sing ;
On the ravished ear ecstatic Strains from harps all golden ring ;
To the King, Who made them victors, Worthy songs of praise they sing.

13. Happy soul who sees Heaven's Monarch Seated in majestic state,
While beneath His Lofty Throne The Rolling worlds attendant wait ;
Sun, and moon, and stars, and planets - Giant guards of glory's gate !

14. Christ, the Palm of valiant warriors, Lead me to Thy blest abode,
When I lay aside war's girdle ;- When I quit this weary road,
Make me sharer in the portion On Thy citizens bestowed.

15. Grant Thy strength to one now laboring In the yet unended fight,
Nor refuse when strife is over, Quiet as the conqueror's right,
Let me merit to possess Thee as my Prize in endless light.

AMEN..

This is the other translation.

1. AT the fount of life eternal Faints the parchéd soul with thirst,
For the imprisoned spirit restless Seeks the flesh's gates to burst,
Struggling, yearning, for the country Whence it has been banished erst.


2. While it wails it's sad condition, Pressed by grief, by sorrow crossed,
Sad it looks upon the glory It's delinquency has cost ;
Present misery increases Memory of the blessings lost.

3. For of everlasting quiet Who the joyousness can tell?
Where in edifices splendid All of living pearl they dwell,
While with burnished gold the buildings And the couches gleam as well.

4. Gems alone of countless value Are the town's foundation seat,
Polished gold like beaming crystal Forms the paving of the street;
Mud there smears not, dirt appears not, No diseases do we meet.

5. Winter braming, summer flaming, There relax their blustering,
And sweet roses ever blooming Make an everlasting spring,
Lily blanching, crocus blushing, And the balsam perfuming.

6. Pasture growing, meadows blowing, Honey streams in rivers fair,
While with aromatic perfume Grateful glows the balmy air ;
Luscious fruits that never wither Hang in every thicket there.

7. There nor waxing moon, nor waning, Sun, nor stars in courses bright ;
For the Lamb to that glad city Shines an everlasting light.
There the daylight beams for ever, All unknown are time and night.

8. For the Saints, in beauty beaming, Shine in light and glory pure,
Crowned in triumph's flushing honours, Joy in unison secure,
And in safety tell their battles And their foes' discomfiture.

9. Freed from every stain of evil, All their carnal wars are done,
For the flesh to spirit turned And the soul agree in one,
Peace unbroken spreads enjoyment, Sin and scandal are unknown.

10. Stript of changefulness, united To primæval being's spring,
And the present form and essence Of the Truth contemplating,
Lo! they quaff the vital sweetness Of the well of quickening.

11. Thence departing, aye in sameness They their lofty state engage,
Beauteous, keen, and gay, and noble, Unexposed to chance's rage ;
Health is theirs untouched by sickness, Endless youth unmarred by age.

12. Here they live in endless being, Passingness has passed away,
Here they bloom, they thrive, they flourish, For decayed is all decay,
Hungering still, they eat ; and eating, Still the sacred food require.

13. Lovely voices make a concert Ever new and ever clear,
And in never-ending festal Organs sooth the ravished ear ;
Worthily their king they honour Who obtained them victory's cheer.

14. Who shall see Heaven's Monarch present, O ! how blessed that happy soul,
And, beneath its throne of glory, Watch the orbs of nature roll,
Sun, and Moon, and Stars, and Planets, As they course around the pole.

15. CHRIST, Thy soldiers' palm of honour, Unto this Thy city free
Lead me, when my warfare's girdle I shall cast away from me,
A partaker in Thy bounty With Thy blessed ones to he.

16. Grant me vigour, while I labour, In the ceaseless battle pressed,
That Thou mayst, the conflict over, Grant me everlasting rest,
And I may at length inherit Thee my portion ever blessed.

AMEN.

I am frequently asked to supply music to people planning funerals who want to get away from the "top 10" type of stuff mentioned earlier. Truly, as Adam Wood pointed out, they are a "bunch of songs that pretty much have nothing to do with funerals, death, grieving, resurrection, celebrating life, or any other thing that makes any direct sense when related specifically to Mass for a dead person."

This is what I have suggested:
Before Mass: Prayer for a Perfect Life (Cardinal O'Connell)
Processional: My Soul Doth Long for Thee
Introit from Gregoiran Requiem
Offertory: Mother of Christ
Sanctus and Agnus Dei and Lux Aeterna from Gregorian Requiem
Communion: O Lord I Am Not Worthy and Heart of Jesus, Hear (meditation)
Recessional: Jesus, Keep Me Close to Thee

All of the above-mentioned English hymns have specific references to life's closing (except perhaps "O Lord I Am Not Worthy.")

Two other English hymns that can be worked in that are also useful are "O Take Me To Thy Sacred Heart" and "Let a Pious Prayer Be Said."

In a number of cases, I have been told, some of these hymns have become "regulars" once they were introduced. Some priests may not mind the Sanctus and Agnus Dei in Latin but would prefer that the Requiem Aeternam (Introit) and Lux Aeterna (Communion) not be used--I guess because they don't know them.

We have a basic outline that we seldom vary. Introit "Requiem aeternam," Psalm 23 or 27 in English setting to psalm tone by Fr. Jeff Keyes, at the Offertory- instrumental (or a hymn from the Vatican II Hymnal), Eucharistic Acclamations either from Mass XVIII or the "Community Mass" of Proulx, Communio Lux aeterna with De Profundis psalm (from Richard Rice's "Communio," at the final incensation chant "Ave Maria," retiring procession- "In paradisum & Chorus Angelorum." Father tells families that, everyone who is buried from Saint Edward receives the same Requiem as popes, kings, saints and faithful have received through the ages. The antiphons for the Introit, Psalm, Eucharistic Acclamations & Communio are printed in a simple leaflet.